Oct 25, 2002 By Patty Shultz 3 min read

CONNELLSVILLE – The responsibilities of two current city employees will be increased while council searches for a city clerk. Council members agreed Thursday to move bookkeeper Dorothy Fosbrink to the position of acting city clerk and administrative secretary Bonnie Blackburn to assistant bookkeeper until the end of the year when it is expected the clerk vacancy will be filled.

“That’s why we had this special meeting,” said Councilwoman Judy Keller. “We need to get the process started.”

The administrative vacancy occurred on Oct. 9 when former clerk Rudy Dutko tendered his resignation.

Dutko cited “differences in ideological views” with certain council members as his reason for leaving the position.

He was hired in 2001 to replace Bill Hughes.

Keller said Fosbrink has previously served in the position for various amounts of time when there have been vacancies in the post. Fosbrink was initially hired in 1991.

Blackburn was hired last year as the administrative secretary.

Both will see hourly salary increases while serving in the dual roles. Fosbrink will receive an additional $5 per hour while Blackburn’s salary will be increased by $2 per hour.

Council also agreed to name Rick Cicconi as a consultant to the city on an as needed basis at a salary of $50 per hour.

Mayor Judy Reed said Cicconi’s services would be needed as Fosbrink and Blackburn will continue to carry out their normal day-to-day duties.

Councilman Bruce Jaynes, however, objected to the hiring.

“I don’t know this man,” he said. “I think we should wait and see how Dorothy and Bonnie do (in the temporary position). If someone is needed, I’d like to see a bigger pool (of candidates) and we can do something at our next meeting.”

Keller said Cicconi has previously served the city and has 17 years of experience serving as a city manager in Carnegie.

The measure passed with council members John Whalen and Chris Wagner along with Reed and Keller supporting the hiring and Jaynes casting the lone dissenting vote.

Council will also begin accepting applications for the city clerk position.

According to the resolution, the candidate must have an associate or bachelor’s degree in city management, accounting or a comparable field. A person with past administrative experience will also be considered in lieu of the education requirement.

If hired and not a city resident, the candidate must obtain residence within six months.

Reed said the salary would range between $24,000 and $28,000, depending upon experience.

Applications for the position will be accepted until Nov. 26.